“I’m just thrilled. For a young guy like Luke Martin to build on what exists here … is far and away above whatever other Valley school does,” Wells, a 1974 graduate of the College of Arts and Media.
The renovation of this space was fully funded by a lead gift from Steve Wells, a 1974 graduate of the College of Arts and Media and avid Saluki fan. Through his generosity, Saluki Athletics updated the studio space and acquired much-needed media equipment, including cameras, a soundboard, monitors, microphones, and more.
“This is our portal to the world,” said Tim Leonard, director of athletics. “We need this, and Steve made it happen for us.”
The Steve Wells Production Studio is a hub for content creation for Saluki Athletics, spearheaded by Luke Martin. It is the recording location for “Inside Saluki Athletics” and coach and student-athlete interviews, and it is the go-to spot for media day and recruiting visit photos. Previously, the room was known as the “GA Bullpen” and had gone largely unused for a significant period.
“I wish you could all be here on a daily basis to see our student-athletes walk in here and see their eyes glow,” Martin said. “Southern Illinois is terrific. People give their love to you, but it’s through a process. You have to earn that trust, and how you earn that trust and appreciation is through hard work; it’s not just given to you.”